News & Events

The National CASA Association is proud to announce that Missouri CASA Executive Director, Beth Dessem, received the Governor Mel Carnahan Public Service Award on February 11, 2015. The award is presented by the University of Missouri’s Harry Truman School of Public Affairs. Read the full press release.

New Partnership with Verified Volunteers

October 2014

National CASA is proud to announce a new partnership with Verified Volunteers. Verified Volunteers is the only background check platform tailored to the specific needs of the non-profit service sector and the first online community to mobilize repeat, vetted volunteers. Verified Volunteers is designed to make volunteer screening faster, easier and less costly for nonprofits and volunteers themselves. Read more about this new partnership.

Senator Chuck Grassley Recognized by Iowa Child Advocacy Board

October 2014

Senator Grassley earned recognition from the Iowa Child Advocacy Board for his “outstanding leadership" on children’s issues during a ceremony at the Black Hawk County Courthouse on October 6. Iowa CASA is a program of the Iowa Child Advocacy Board. National CASA CEO Michael Piraino was in attendance to acknowledge Senator Grassely's efforts on behalf of National CASA. Read more about this event.

National CASA Selected by Focusing Philanthropy

September 2014

National CASA is pleased to announce its selection by Focusing Philanthropy, a leading LA-based organization that identifies, evaluates, and promotes compelling opportunities for personal and corporate giving. Our organization was selected as their 15th nonprofit partner. They are celebrating this announcement with a campaign to raise enough funds by November 15 to recruit and engage 150 new volunteers. Gifts to Focusing Philanthropy earmarked for this campaign will be doubled. Read more about the partnership here.

Hundreds of Foster Kids Treated to Day of Fun Through National Partnership

June 2014

Foster children in Lowell, AR, were treated to a day of fun and free toys in an event hosted by the Toy Industry Foundation, National CASA Association and CASA of Northwest Arkansas. Read more in NWA.org

Toy Industry Foundation Renews Support of CASA Cause with 2014 Grant

April 2014

In 2014, National CASA and the Toy Industry Foundation are once again partnering at the national level to provide toys and increase the number of trained CASA volunteers to benefit children in the foster care system. In this second year, the Toy Industry Foundation has not only provided National CASA and regional CASA programs with $200,000 to support their valuable advocacy efforts, but will also donate more than 50,000 toys. The 2014 partnership kicks off with the Toy Industry Foundation's Play Your Part volunteer event on Friday, May 16, in Los Angeles, CA. Read the press release.

"Kids in Foster Care Get Much-Needed Support from Court-Appointed Special Advocates"

March 2014

Washington Post columnist John Kelly writes about Maryland CASA volunteer Diane Baker and her work with a young woman who has spent the last six years in foster care: "This story begins five years ago, on the day Diane Baker met a 13-year-old girl who seemed not to have a friend in the world. Her family life in shambles, the girl had just entered foster care in Montgomery County." Read the Washington Post column.

Foster Kids Lose Months of Academic Progress with Each Move

February 2014

National CASA spokesperson Jimmy Wayne shares his story in an Atlantic magazine article about the effects of foster care on children's academic achievement. Read the Atlantic magazine article.

"Fresh Eyes to Help Foster Children"

February 2014

Boston Globe columnist Joanna Weiss writes about the CASA program as an overlooked solution to some of the problems plaguing our troubled child welfare system. Read the Boston Globe column.

CEO Michael Piraino Featured on National Council on Crime & Delinquency Blog

November 2013

National CASA CEO Michael Piraino authored a guest blog as part of an NCCD feature on the topic of courts and child welfare. Read it now.

Author Tom North Pledges Support to End Child Abuse

November 2013

Award-winning author Tom North has become an official supporter of the National CASA Association. North is supporting National CASA by donating a portion of the sales of his new memoir, True North - The Shocking Truth About "Yours, Mine and Ours," to help increase the number of trained CASA volunteers across the country. Read the press release.

CASA Volunteer Selected to Compete for NASCAR Humanitarian Award

October 2013

On October 1, the NASCAR Foundation announced the four finalists for the 2013 Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award. Among them is New Hampshire CASA volunteer Lisa Hall. Lisa will receive $25,000 to give to the charity of her choice for being selected as a finalist, and $100,000 if she wins the popular vote.

Children Receive Toys at Events in NJ and Indianapolis

July 2013

Children in Essex County, NJ, and Indianapolis, IN, are receiving thousands of toys at events held in July. The donation and events are part of a national partnership between The National CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Association and the Toy Industry Foundation. The Toy Industry Foundation is providing National CASA and regional CASA programs with $200,000 to support their valuable advocacy efforts, along with more than 25,000 toys this year.

Jewelers for Children Renews Commitment to CASA for Children

June 2013

At their annual Facets of Hope gala on June 2, Jewelers for Children, the industry organization of jewelry retailers, manufacturers, watch companies and trade associations, announced that it would continue its support of National CASA and CASA programs throughout the country with a $500,000 contribution in 2013. Jewelers for Children is the leading private supporter of the National CASA Association and its member programs. Through its Champions for Abused Children Initiative, the organization has contributed more than $7.4 million since 2003.

National CASA Association and the Toy Industry Foundation Launch National Partnership with Volunteer Event

April 2013

National CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Association and the Toy Industry Foundation have partnered at the national level to provide toys and increase the number of trained CASA volunteers to benefit children in the foster care system. The Toy Industry Foundation has not only provided National CASA and regional CASA programs with $200,000 to support their valuable advocacy efforts, but will also donate more than 25,000 toys this year. The launch of this partnership will take place at the Toy Industry Foundation’s Play Your Part volunteer event on Friday, April 5 in Los Angeles, CA. Read the press release.

National CASA Partners with Smile for a Lifetime

March 2013

The Smile for a Lifetime Foundation (S4L), an international nonprofit organization that provides orthodontic care and free braces to underserved children with financial challenges and special orthodontic needs,has partnered with the National Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Association to help S4L chapters throughout North America find qualified applicants for their local orthodontic scholarship programs. Through S4L’s partnership with National CASA, young people who are served by the 946 CASA programs across the country will have the opportunity to learn about S4L and apply for its orthodontic treatment scholarships. Read the press release announcing the partnership.

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